Pterodactyl
Open-source game server management panel.
Pterodactyl is a free, open-source game server management panel that solves the problem of deploying, managing, and securing game servers at scale. It runs game servers in isolated Docker containers with strict resource limits, reducing attack vectors and providing tailored environments for each game. Users interact with the system through a web interface built with PHP, React, and Go, making server administration accessible without direct command-line access.
The platform is built around two core components: the Panel, which provides the web-based user interface and API, and Wings, the backend daemon that manages Docker containers and server execution. It includes features such as bcrypt hashing, AES-256-CBC encryption, and HTTPS support for security, along with a modular system called Eggs that define game-specific server configurations. The project has been developed since 2015 and is licensed under the MIT license, with all code publicly available.
Pterodactyl is designed for individuals, networks, and hosting companies that need to run game servers for multiple users. As an open-source project, it is available at no cost and can be self-hosted. There is no mention of a free plan, trial, or paid editions; the software is distributed freely under its open-source license, and users are responsible for their own infrastructure and deployment.
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